The Astros end a 12-game losing streak, the longest in team history, with a 9 – 5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Lucas Harrell, the team’s most effective starter this season, gets credit for the rare win, as the Astros were 2-25 since June 28th before winning today. Jordan Schafer has a homer and 3 RBI. Before the game, the Astros make their third trade in a week, sending 3B Chris Johnson to the Arizona Diamondbacks in return for two minor league OFs, Bobby Borchering and Marc Krauss.

ByTom

The Astros end a 12-game losing streak, the longest in team history, with a 9 – 5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Lucas Harrell, the team’s most effective starter this season, gets credit for the rare win, as the Astros were 2-25 since June 28th before winning today. Jordan Schafer has a homer and 3 RBI. Before the game, the Astros make their third trade in a week, sending 3B Chris Johnson to the Arizona Diamondbacks in return for two minor league OFs, Bobby Borchering and Marc Krauss.

Ike Davis drives in all of the runs in the Mets’ 6-3 loss in Arizona when he becomes the ninth player in franchise history to hit three home runs in a game. The New York first baseman joins Steve Finley (2004, Diamondbacks), Eddie Murray (1980, Orioles), and Clyde McCullough (1942, Cubs) as only the fourth player in baseball history to account for all three of his team’s runs with solo homers in a defeat.

ByTom

Ike Davis drives in all of the runs in the Mets’ 6-3 loss in Arizona when he becomes the ninth player in franchise history to hit three home runs in a game. The New York first baseman joins Steve Finley (2004, Diamondbacks), Eddie Murray (1980, Orioles), and Clyde McCullough (1942, Cubs) as only the fourth player in baseball history to account for all three of his team’s runs with solo homers in a defeat.

2012 – The Twins send P Francisco Liriano to their division rivals the White Sox in return for IF Eduardo Escobar and P Pedro Hernandez. It is the first trade between the two teams since 1986.

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2012 – The Twins send P Francisco Liriano to their division rivals the White Sox in return for IF Eduardo Escobar and P Pedro Hernandez. It is the first trade between the two teams since 1986.

Wally the Green Monster, the Red Sox’s mascot, goes missing before today’s game with the Yankees, making the team suspect a dastardly deed by Yankee fans. Boston Police issue an all-points bulletin looking for a “green and furry [character] … and sporting a permanent grin to the face on an extremely large head.” It turns out to be a misunderstanding as Wally is located a few hours later, taking an unauthorized tour of his home city.

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Wally the Green Monster, the Red Sox’s mascot, goes missing before today’s game with the Yankees, making the team suspect a dastardly deed by Yankee fans. Boston Police issue an all-points bulletin looking for a “green and furry [character] … and sporting a permanent grin to the face on an extremely large head.” It turns out to be a misunderstanding as Wally is located a few hours later, taking an unauthorized tour of his home city.

In a meeting of unlikely playoff contenders, the A’s stun the Orioles with 6 9th-inning runs, overcoming a 9 – 8 deficit for a 14 – 9 win at Camden Yards. Ryan Cook had just coughed up 3 runs in the 8th, but the A’s rally against closer Jim Johnson to win their 12th game in their last 14 tries.

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In a meeting of unlikely playoff contenders, the A’s stun the Orioles with 6 9th-inning runs, overcoming a 9 – 8 deficit for a 14 – 9 win at Camden Yards. Ryan Cook had just coughed up 3 runs in the 8th, but the A’s rally against closer Jim Johnson to win their 12th game in their last 14 tries.

The Cardinals hit a homer in each of their first 5 innings in beating the Cubs, 9 – 6. Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina, Lance Berkman, Matt Carpenter and Allen Craig all go deep off Travis Wood at Wrigley Field as Wood ties a team record with 5 gopher balls. The last team to have such a performance was the Astros on October 2, 2004.

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The Cardinals hit a homer in each of their first 5 innings in beating the Cubs, 9 – 6. Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina, Lance Berkman, Matt Carpenter and Allen Craig all go deep off Travis Wood at Wrigley Field as Wood ties a team record with 5 gopher balls. The last team to have such a performance was the Astros on October 2, 2004.

Today’s big trade involves former Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke, sent by the Brewers to the Angels in return for SS Jean Segura and Ps Ariel Pena and John Hellweg, with the Halos outbidding their division rivals the Rangers in the process. In another deal, the Giants acquire SS Marco Scutaro from Colorado for Charlie Culberson.

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Today’s big trade involves former Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke, sent by the Brewers to the Angels in return for SS Jean Segura and Ps Ariel Pena and John Hellweg, with the Halos outbidding their division rivals the Rangers in the process. In another deal, the Giants acquire SS Marco Scutaro from Colorado for Charlie Culberson.

Starling Marte becomes the 28th player in history to homer on the first pitch he sees in the major leagues when he goes yard to deep left-center field at Minute Maid Park off Houston’s Dallas Keuchel. The 23 year-old left fielder is the first Pirates player to hit a home run in his first big league at-bat since Don Leppert accomplished the feat against St. Louis in 1961.

ByTom

Starling Marte becomes the 28th player in history to homer on the first pitch he sees in the major leagues when he goes yard to deep left-center field at Minute Maid Park off Houston’s Dallas Keuchel. The 23 year-old left fielder is the first Pirates player to hit a home run in his first big league at-bat since Don Leppert accomplished the feat against St. Louis in 1961.

Not to be outdone, Pittsburgh’s Starling Marte homers on the first pitch of the game in his big league debut (only the third Pirate ever to do so), going yard against Houston’s Dallas Keuchel. Pittsburgh goes on to a 5 – 3 win as A.J. Burnett improves to 12-3. Marte adds another hit before the night is through.

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Not to be outdone, Pittsburgh’s Starling Marte homers on the first pitch of the game in his big league debut (only the third Pirate ever to do so), going yard against Houston’s Dallas Keuchel. Pittsburgh goes on to a 5 – 3 win as A.J. Burnett improves to 12-3. Marte adds another hit before the night is through.

Matt Harvey strikes out 11 Diamondback hitters in his major league debut, beating the Mets franchise record of 9 held by Tom Seaver and Bill Denehy; it is the most in a debut since Stephen Strasburg fanned 14 for the Nationals two years ago. Harvey allows no runs on three hits in 5 1/3 innings, before leaving because of pitch count issues; for good measure, he also goes 2 for 2 at the plate, with a double off Wade Miley for his first major league hit. He gets credit for the Mets’ 3 – 1 win at Chase Field.

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Matt Harvey strikes out 11 Diamondback hitters in his major league debut, beating the Mets franchise record of 9 held by Tom Seaver and Bill Denehy; it is the most in a debut since Stephen Strasburg fanned 14 for the Nationals two years ago. Harvey allows no runs on three hits in 5 1/3 innings, before leaving because of pitch count issues; for good measure, he also goes 2 for 2 at the plate, with a double off Wade Miley for his first major league hit. He gets credit for the Mets’ 3 – 1 win at Chase Field.